CHOOSE TO CRUISE
Two years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Rains onboard the Seven Seas Mariner. Scott is a pioneer in the field of Universal Design, where he spearheads the concept of inclusive travel and universal accessibility of public places. His newsletter Rolling Rains (www.rollingsrains.com) contains invaluable information on travel for those with disabilities and is the inspiration of my article, “Choose to Cruise: On becoming Cruiser Friendly for those with Disabilities.” (Posted soon.)
In a ruling by the United States Supreme Court on June 6, 2005, it was determined that the Americans with Disabilities Act, “protects passengers with disabilities even on ships flagged to foreign ports when they operate in the United States.” That means all cruise ships are required to make their ships 100% Cruiser Friendly. That stated, what exactly does that mean?
I have worked at sea for over sixteen years and have seen travelers with disabilities struggle to do the simplest things onboard ship. In this microcosm of society, inclusive travel means more than wider doorways and wheelchair accessible restrooms. To truly accommodate everyone cruise lines must give careful thought to things most of us take for granted. Roughly twenty-five percent of the traveling public considers themselves disabled and number will grow as the population ages, the cruise industry will be prudent in investing in those considerations now.